Advertisement in the Moline Daily Dispatch October 4, 1966: Courtesy of Rich Briley
 

Presenting the Quad-Cities New

HOWARD JOHNSON'S

Motor Lodge and Restaurant

This sign, familiar to millions of traveling Americans is now a part of the Quad-City scene. The recently opened Howard Johnson's facilities are located at the Quad-City Airport. Here you will find every comfort for the weary traveler...including spacious magnificently furnished rooms, color television, a heated pool, outstanding dining and cocktail lounge, complete banquet and meeting room facilities. The guest can operate all of the lights in the room, color television, air conditioning and wake-up and message service while relaxing on the comfortable beds, as each room features the new "Pamper-Panel" bedside control.
 
 
 
 
Photographs circa 1969: Courtesy of Rich Briley
Rich Briley recalled the Moline Quad-City HoJo's fondly. He celebrated a Birthday there in about 1969 with a group of his friends! He wrote that the Howard Johnson's "was a major part of people's lives in the area...it was right at the entrance (it pretty much was the entrance!) to the airport..."
 
 
 
Mr. Briley further noted that the restaurant lost its Howard Johnson name first when it was converted into Aunt Mary's Restaurant. Then later, the Motor Lodge was closed and the entire complex was razed for airport expansion--
all that's there now is a grassy lot.
 
 
 

 
Moline, Illinois -- SR 92 @ Quad City Airport

 

A classic mid-1960s Howard Johnson's, this one in Moline opened in 1966 with:

96 Spacious Air conditioned Rooms--
--Heated swimming pool--
--Direct dial telephones--
--Conference rooms--
--Restaurant--
--Cocktail Lounge--

In researching the Sandy's Drive-In Restaurant chain, Rich Briley discovered important information regarding the Moline Howard Johnson's complex. Briley learned that Robert V. Hallen, Inc of Rockford, Illinois was the general contractor for the Motor Lodge and Restaurant project. Even more, he found that Radio Manufacturers, Inc. of 601 West Fort Street, Detroit, Michigan had manufactured the "Pamper Panels" that were installed in each of Moline's guest rooms!

 
 
Postcard circa 1967